In talking with Eric today, I mentioned that I used to take my lunch hours at the Washington National Cathedral when I lived and worked in DC. I've also taken a lot of pictures there, and I've posted two previous installments here and here.
The picture above was taken in February 2004 on a beautiful cloudless day, which resulted in some great light-and-stone shots. This is in the Wilson bay overlooking the tomb of President Woodrow Wilson (Jeopardy clue - he's the only president buried in DC) looking to the north side of the nave.
Otto Von Simson says this of the use of light in the Gothic style:
"To the medieval thinker beauty was not a value independent of others, but rather the radiance of truth, the splendor of ontological perfection, and that quality of things which reflects their origin in God. Light and luminous objects, no less than musical consonance, conveyed an insight into the perfection of the cosmos, and a divination of the Creator."
(The Gothic Cathedral, p. 51)
2 comments:
Ok Patrick. You have created an unstoppable Washington National Cathedral craving that must be satisfied. I'm going this weekend and will think fondly of you.
Take some pictures for me!
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